Introducing the Royal Mail's amazing Prehistoric stamps

A brand-new set of eight stamps was released by the Royal Mail in January 2017. They celebrate the amazing prehistoric archaeology of the UK.

The stamps were designed by artist Rebecca Strickson. She has created beautiful 'overlay' illustrations, which show how prehistoric people lived and worked at the sites, and used the objects, which are shown on the stamps.

You can see Rebecca's stamp designs, and find out more about the objects and places that inspired the designs below...

THE ROYAL MAIL PREHISTORIC STAMP COLLECTION:

Battersea Shield

Found: London, EnglandDates to: c.350–50 BCFrom: Iron Age

The Battersea shield was found in the River Thames in the 1850s. The bronze front of the shield is the only part which survives; originally it would have had a wooden back. It was made using four sheets of bronze and has three circular decorative panels, which were decorated with red enamel. It is on display in the British Museum.

Skara Brae Village

In: Orkney Islands, ScotlandDates to: c.3100–2500 BCFrom: Neolithic

In 1850, strong storms hit Orkney’s west coast. They revealed remains of prehistoric stone-walled houses. Middens (rubbish pits) surrounded the houses providing evidence about what the people who lived here used and ate. Each of the houses is roughly square, with a single entrance, a central fireplace, and furniture made of stone.

Star Carr Headdress

Found: Yorkshire, EnglandDates to: c.9000 BCFrom: Mesolithic

Archaeological digs along the edge of what was once Lake Flixton have uncovered amazing Mesolithic archaeology. Finds from the site include worked stone, flint, bone, antler and wood. There were also more than 30 red deer skulls, which experts think had been turned into masks or some kind of headdresses.

Maiden Castle hill fort

In: Dorset, EnglandDates to: c.400 BCFrom: Iron Age

People may have been living at Maiden Castle since 3550 BC! The earthwork remains of the hill fort that can still be seen today, including ramparts and gateways, date to around 400 BC. It is the largest hill fort of its type in Britain.

Avebury stone circles

In: Wiltshire, EnglandDates to: c.2500 BCFrom: Neolithic

Avebury is Britain’s largest prehistoric ceremonial monument. It is made up of a huge bank, which was 5m high, with a ditch inside that was originally some 9m deep. Around the edge of the ditch was Britain’s largest stone circle, which would have been made up of 98 local sarsen stones. There were two further stone circles inside!

Drumbest Horns

In 1840, four complete cast bronze horns were found in a bog in County Antrim. Experts think that they were thrown into the bog as offerings to the gods. Experiments show that these instruments would have made deep sounds when played, a bit like an Australian didgeridoo. The horns are now on display in the Ulster Museum in Belfast.

Grime's Graves flint mines

In: Norfolk, EnglandDates to: c.2500 BCFrom: Neolithic

Flint was used for making tools and weapons in prehistoric times. Deep shafts, some 6m across, were dug down to reach the good-quality flint. At Grime’s Graves, around 600 shafts are currently known, some up to 14m deep! The earliest known workings date to before 3000 BC, with use of the site continuing through to about 1900 BC.

Mold Cape

Found: Flintshire, WalesDates to: c.1900–1600 BCFrom: Bronze Age

This dazzling gold object was found by workmen in 1833. It was found with a burial in a stone-lined cist. The cape is just 46.5cm wide, so the wearer must have been young or of slight build. It was decorated with lines and dots that look like strings of beads and the folds of cloth. The cape is on display in the British Museum in London.

Did you know?

The Royal Mail has been making special stamps for more than 50 years? They mark anniversaries and celebrate important events, places and people.

There are about 2,500,000 stamp collectors in the UK and millions more across the rest of the world.

Her Majesty The Queen approves all UK stamp designs before they are issued.

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